HEARING ON THE CHALLENGES TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN KOSOVO

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), will hold a hearing entitled, “The Challenges to Minority Communities in Kosovo,” on Tuesday, June 3 at 3:00 p.m. in room B-318 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Testifying before the Commission will be Ambassador Knut Vollebaek of Norway, High Commissioner for National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The hearing will focus on the protection and promotion of the rights of Serb, Romani and other minority communities in Kosovo, in light of its February 17 declared independence which Serbia does not recognize. In particular, the hearing will examine Ambassador Vollebaek’s work regarding Kosovo and his recommendations for action by the Kosovar authorities as well as by Serbia, other OSCE States and the OSCE itself.

WITNESS

His Excellency Knut Vollebaek, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities

WHO: U.S. Helsinki Commission

WHAT: Hearing on Challenges to Minority Communities in Kosovo

WHEN: Tuesday, June 3 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: B-318 Rayburn House Office Building

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.